The Economic Value of Water and Ecosystem Preservation

3.2. General Overview of Ecotourism
Tourism is one of the largest industries on the planet. According to the World
Travel and Tourism Council, “tourism and its related economic activities generate
11 percent of the Global Domestic Product, employ 200 million people, and
transport nearly 700 million international travelers per year.” Currently,
ecotourism makes up only a small percentage (5% to 10%) of the global travel
market, yet, it is one of the fastest growing sectors. While tourism in general is
growing at a rate of 4 percent annually, the ecotourism market is growing at a
much faster rate, ranging between 10 and 30 percent (Vincent and Thompson,
2002). In recognition of the growing importance of ecotourism to economies
worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2002 as the
“International Year of Ecotourism” in order to encourage cooperation between
governments, regional (and international) organizations and non-governmental
organizations in promoting and developing measures of environmental protection
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2003).
“Nature-based tourism” and “nature-tourism” are often used interchangeably
to refer to the same activity that is referred to in this report as “ecotourism,”
although a variety of definitions exist for ecotourism. The International
Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas
that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people.”
Implied in the definition is that anyone participating in ecotourism activities should
follow the following principles:
• Minimize impact;
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect;
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts;
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation;
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social
climate;
• Support international human rights and labor agreements; and,
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
(International Ecotourism Society, 2004).
Although tourism can be based on natural attractions such as wildlife viewing
or water-based recreation that does not mean it is ecologically or socially
sustainable. “In fact, activities ranging from powerboat trips through narrow
gorges to chasing elephants with paint-guns have been called ‘ecotourism
(Sekercioglu, 2002).’” It is possible to conduct ecotourism activities in a
sustainable manner “by monitoring damage to the natural environment, paying
attention to the location’s carrying capacity, and overall minimizing negative
impacts and maximizing positive ecological, sociocultural and economic impacts
(Mathis, 2004a).” The Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism lists the following
principles of sustainable tourism:
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